"Don't even think it!" But Mrs.Twitt was not to be shaken in her pronouncement.
"'E'll never come back no more!" she said.

"An' the children on the shore 'ull miss 'im badly, for 'e was a reg'lar Father Christmas to 'em, not givin' presents by any manner o' means, 'avin' none to give, but tellin' 'em stories as kep' 'em quiet an' out of 'arms way for 'ours,--an' mendin' their toys an' throwin' their balls an' spinnin' their tops like the 'armless old soul 'e was! I'm right sorry 'e's gone! Weircombe 'll miss 'im for sartin sure!" And this was the general feeling of the whole village when the unexpected departure of "old David" became known.

Angus Reay, returning in the afternoon, reported that he had walked half the way, and had driven the other half with a man who had given him a lift in his trap, right into Minehead, but had seen and heard nothing of the missing waif and stray.

Coming back to Weircombe with the carrier's cart, he had questioned the carrier as to whether he had seen the old man anywhere along the road, but this inquiry likewise met with failure.
"So the only thing to do, Mary," said Angus, finally, "is to believe his own written word,--that he will be back with us before Sunday.

I don't think he means to leave you altogether in such an abrupt way,--that would be churlish and ungrateful--and I'm sure he is neither." "Oh, he's anything but churlish!" she answered quickly.